Two-piece football dummy

ABSTRACT

A two-piece football dummy for physical contact training comprising a padded cylindrical, stand-up portion with a second portion attached thereto by vertically adjustable means. The second portion is also generally cylindrical with smaller diameter end portions extending transversely of the stand-up portion to represent the head and shoulders of an opposing player at a predetermined height.

United States Patent [54] TWO-PIECE FOOTBALL DUMMY [72] Inventor: Harold W. Kopp, 21 Lancaster Drive, Saxonville, Mass. 01701 22 Filed: Nov. 18,1970

[21 Appl. No.: 90,650

[52] US. Cl. .1 .Q273/55 A [51] int. Cl. ..A63b 67/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/55 R, 55 A; 272/77 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 210,787 4/1968 Kopp ..273/55 A UX 3,425,692 2/1969 Leach ..273/55 R 51 Oct. 24, 1972 Primary Examiner--Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Att0rneyCharles S. McGuire [5 7] ABSTRACT A two-piece football dummy for physical contact training comprising a padded cylindrical, stand-up portion with a second portion attached thereto by vertically adjustable means. The second portion is also generally cylindrical with smaller diameter end portions extending transversely of the stand-up portion to represent the head and shoulders of an opposing player at a predetermined height.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnm 24 m2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY TWO-PIECE FOOTBALL DUMMY The present invention relates to football training devices and, more specifically, to an improved type of contact training dummy, or the like.

In training football players in techniques of offensive and defensive contact maneuvers it is common to employ padded dummies of various configurations. These range from so called blocking sleds for simultaneous contact by several players to simple, one-piece, fabric or plastic covered units which may be placed on the ground or held by another player, normally for contact by a single player. The dummies are usually used to train offensive players in various blocking techniques and to train defensive players in tackling.

The dummy of the present invention is a two piece unit especially suited to the special function of training in the use of hands and arms on defense, i.e., in warding off offensive blockers. The two pieces comprise basically a conventional, cylindridal, stand-up dummy which supports in a number of different vertical positionsa smaller dummy having portions roughly simulating the head and shoulders or forearms of a blocker. The smaller dummy may also be conventional in external appearance, preferably conforming more or less to that shown in applicants U.S. Design Pat. No. 210,787, appropriately modified for mounting on the stand-up dummy as mentioned above.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel football contact training device especially useful in drilling defensive players.

A further object is to provide a football dummy which is simple and rugged in construction, yet adapta ble to provide training in a number of different techniques.

Another object is to provide a two-piece dummy in which prior art individual dummies may be adjustably mounted relative to one another to provide a novel and versatile composite training device.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the two pieces of the dummy in a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, partically in section, of a portion of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a small scale, perspective view of an alternate embodiment.

The reference numeral denotes generallya standup type dummy having an outer cover normally of canvas or vinyl coated nylon with a slightly resilient inner filler. The illustrated embodiment has a generally cylindrical body, tapered slightly toward the top, but other shapes of conventional design are also suitable, e.g., bell shaped. The dummy will have an elongated body portion, standing several feet in height, in any case. The conventional stand-up dummy is modified for use in the FIG. 1 embodiment of the present invention by being provided with three openings 12,. 14 and 16, vertically spaced along one side thereof. Inserts 18, 20 and 22, preferably of square metal tubing, are placed within the respective openings and are anchored at their inner ends to circular tubing 24 extending substantially along the body axis of dummy 10.

The second piece of the dummy of the present invention is denoted generally by the reference numeral 26 and may be the same in appearance as that shown in applicants aforementioned Design Patent. Dummy 26 includes cylindrical central portion 28 with arms 30 and 32 extending therefrom. Dummy 26 is preferably made of a unitary, solid core, such as metal or plastic, with a somewhat resilient covering of rubber or foam plastic, for example.

- Extending rigidly from dummy 26, preferably by being welded or otherwise attached to the central core thereof, perpendicular to an axis through central portion 28 and arms 30 and 32, is hollow metal bar 34. The latter is externally proportioned for a sliding fit within any of inserts 18, 20 and 22. Each of the inserts includes a small opening in one side. As best seen in FIG. 2, a spring loaded detent 36 on bar 34 extends into the opening in the insert wall to releasably retain the bar within the insert.

Thus, dummy 26 may be selectively mounted in any of three vertically spaced positions upon dummy 10,

each serving a different training purpose. For example, with dummy 26 mounted in lower opening 16 the composite dummy is used to train defenders against opposing blockers in a low stance; when mounted in the central opening a blocker in a medium height blocking position is simulated; when in upper opening 12 the device provides defensive training against blockers in a high or upright position, e. g., for pass blocking. Upright dummies are commonly provided with hand grips, such as that designated with the numeral 38 in FIG. 1, so that they may be held firmly by a coach or another player when struck by the training player.

FIG. -3 shows generally another means of .mounting dummy 26 for vertical adjustment on dummy 10. In this embodiment a strap 40 is appropriately secured to the rear of dummy 26, and is provided with a buckle or clasp 42 to adjust the length of the strap as required for mounting dummy 26 in various vertical positions. This arrangement, of course, obviates the necessity of modifying stand-up dummy 10 from its conventional form. However, the first embodiment is preferred because of its rigidity and the positive locking of the relative positions of dummies 10. and 26.

From the foregoing it is clear that the invention provides a football training device useful in specialized training in certain techniques. The device utilizes conventional basic components with relatively simple and inexpensive modifications to provide the unique composite training aid. The basic stand-up dummy, of course, retains its original character and may be used for blocking and tackling training in the usual manner without the smaller dummy mounted thereon.

What is claimed is:

1. A football contact training device comprising, in combination:

a. an elongated, stand-up type, first dummy;

b. a second dummy, significantly smaller than the first, having a pair of arms extending in opposite directions from a central portion; and

clude rigid, hollow inserts into which said bar is axially slidable, thereby preventing rotation of said second dummy relative to the first.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said bar and said inserts include cooperable detent means for releasably securing said second dummy to the first.

5. The invention according to claim 3 and further including a rigid element extending axially through said first dummy, and means rigidly connecting the inner extremities of said inserts to said element. 

1. A football contact training device comprising, in combination: a. an elongated, stand-up type, first dummy; b. a second dummy, significantly smaller than the first, having a pair of arms extending in opposite directions from a central portion; and c. means including a plurality of vertically spaced openings in said first dummy for receiving a bar extending rigidly from said second dummy for mounting said second dummy upon said first dummy in a plurality of vertical positions with said arms extending transversely of the axis of said first dummy.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first dummy is substantially cylindrical and said openings extend radially thereinto.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said bar is rectangular in cross section and said openings include rigid, hollow inserts into which said bar is axially slidable, thereby preVenting rotation of said second dummy relative to the first.
 4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said bar and said inserts include cooperable detent means for releasably securing said second dummy to the first.
 5. The invention according to claim 3 and further including a rigid element extending axially through said first dummy, and means rigidly connecting the inner extremities of said inserts to said element. 